18 Sep 2012

Grassley Works to Root Out Fraud and Abuse from Student Visa Program

By Grassley Press
WASHINGTON - Senator Chuck Grassley, Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, along with Senators Chuck Schumer, Claire McCaskill and Dianne Feinstein, introduced legislation, known as the Student Visa Integrity Act, to help reduce fraud and abuse in the Student and Exchange Visitor Program.  Under current law, educational institutions must be a part of the Student and Exchange Visitor Program before enrolling students from abroad.

 

Congress mandated that a system be developed to track and monitor foreign students when it learned that one of the people responsible for the 1993 World Trade Center bombing was in the United States on an expired student visa.  The system, the Student Exchange Visitor Information System, was finally implemented in 2002 and is currently being modernized.  The Student Visa Integrity Act builds on the Student Exchange Visitor Information System to shut down sham schools and make it even more difficult to commit fraud with a student visa.

 

"An independent investigation confirms that the Department of Homeland Security isn't adequately monitoring schools, especially flight schools.  Educational institutions should be held accountable for enrolling people who haven't met the requirements of our immigration law," Grassley said.  "This is a national security matter, and a lesson should have been learned in 1993 and on September 11."

 

Once a foreign student has been accepted to an approved U.S. educational institution, the school issues a form I-20 for the student to present to the U.S. consulate when applying for a visa.  The Student Exchange Visa Program requires educational institutions to input certain data into the Student Exchange Visitor Information System when the student arrives on campus. That information, such as courses of study and attendance of the foreign students, is then relayed to the Department of Homeland Security to help the agency monitor schools, programs and students.

 

Specifically, the Student Visa Integrity Act:

·         makes it a criminal offense, subject to a two year mandatory sentence, if a person makes a materially false statement or provides materially false information when petitioning to bring in foreign students;

·         allows for the immediate withdrawal of a participant in the SEVP program if there's reasonable suspicion of fraud, requires the Secretary to withdraw a school if a school official is indicted for fraud, and permanently bars those convicted of being Designated School Officials in other institutions;

·         requires background checks on Designated School Officials, and training for these officials every three years;

·         requires the Department of Homeland Security to prohibit any flight school that is not FAA accredited (with Part 141 or Part 142) from bringing in foreign students, and prohibits schools that have not been licensed by the state to participate;

·         limits the program to accredited schools, prohibiting unaccredited schools from participation unless they are a "candidate" by an accrediting agency;

·         Requires the Secretary to report to Congress in 6 months on progress made to improve the program, and implement SEVIS II within two years.

As of January 2012, more than 850,000 active foreign students were in the United States and 10,000 schools are approved to be enrolled in the Student Exchange Visa Program.

 

-30-


18 Sep 2012

Davenport Man Sentenced on Drug and Firearm Charges and for Violating Federal Supervised Release

By Val Quast
DAVENPORT, IA - On September 14, 2012, Sedrick McKinley Hall, age 32 of Davenport, was sentenced to 54 months imprisonment for possessing marijuana with intent to distribute, possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, and violating federal supervised release, announced United States Attorney Nicholas A. Klinefeldt. United States District Judge John A. Jarvey also ordered that Hall serve a term of three years supervised release following imprisonment.

In 2008, Hall was prosecuted in United States District Court for possessing a firearm as a felon and sentenced to 27 months imprisonment. After his release, and while under supervision by the United States Probation Office, Hall was arrested by Davenport police and Iowa DNE agents in connection with an investigation of marijuana trafficking. After using an informant to make buys of marijuana from Hall, police executed a search warrant at his residence, finding a quantity of marijuana, a Russian- made SKS 7.62mm assault rifle along with ammunition, and a quantity of synthetic marijuana. Hall subsequently was indicted in United States District court on drug and firearms charges. He also was charged with violating the terms of his supervised release. Hall pleaded guilty to all charges.

The case was investigated by the Davenport, Iowa, Police Department, the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, and the United States Drug Enforcement Administration. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
18 Sep 2012

Beer Tasting at the GAHC

By Kelly Lao

Davenport, IA- You will find beer, music, German food, and more beer at the first annual Suds! Beer Tasting at the German American Heritage Center on Saturday October 13 th from 5-8pm! Local, regional, German, and even homebrewed beer will be sampled and enjoyed as we celebrate the final days of the exhibition Suds! on the brewing process, German drinking traditions, and Quad City brewing heritage.

Get your tickets now! $18 for members and $20 for non-members in advance and $25 at the door. Must be 21+. This event is sponsored by Vanguard Distributing Company. Call 563-322-8844 or visit GAHC at 712 W. 2nd St. Davenport, IA to get
you tickets!

18 Sep 2012

Braley's Discharge Petition Gaining Steam

By Rick Martin

24 hours in, ¼ of Signatures Collected

Washington, D.C. - Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) today announced that he has gathered a quarter of the 218 total signatures needed to bring the Farm Bill up for a vote. The signatures have been collected in less than 24 hours of the discharge petition being filed.

Yesterday, after 65 days of the Farm bill being held by Speaker Boehner, the bill was finally reported out of committee. Braley immediately filed the discharge petition that would force the Farm Bill to the House floor for a vote if 218 signatures are collected.

This bipartisan effort has been supported by Republican Representatives Berg, Gibson, and Noem and Democrats Boswell, Loebsack, and Welch as well as many others.

 

"We are gaining support from Democrats and Republicans who all see the need for the Farm Bill to be passed before September 30th," said Braley. "This is a bipartisan effort that desperately needs to happen. I cannot believe it took so long for the bill to be reported out of committee by Speaker Boehner, but now that it has, I am working with my colleagues to gain as many signatures as we can to get this bill to the floor for a vote."

 

A link of the petition's signatures can be found here: http://clerk.house.gov/112/lrc/pd/petitions/DisPet0005.xml

 

 

# # #
18 Sep 2012

NAACP To Host 75th Annual Freedom Fund Banquet

By Shirleen Martin
Local Chapter Looks to Empower Voters During This Important Election Year
SEPTEMBER 14, 2012 DAVENPORT, IA - The Davenport NAACP will hold it's 75th annual Freedom Fund Banquet Saturday, September 15th at The Lodge,located at 900 Spruce Hill Road in Bettendorf.  The theme for this year's banquet is "Your Power.  Your Decision.  VOTE." and the keynote speakerwill be Dr. Jerome Reide, Regional Field Director of the NAACP, prominent lawyer, and leading social advocate.  There will also be a Youth Forum held Fridayat the Carriage House in Moline, IL starting at 3:30.
The Freedom Fund Banquet will start promptly at 6:00 PM with a social hour, followed by the dinner at 7:00 PM.  Single seat tickets for the event are $40.00per person and can be purchased by contacting Shirleen Martin at (563) 386-1500 or (563) 386-7096.
About The NAACP
The mission of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate race-based discrimination.  Our vision is to ensure a society in which all individuals have equal rights without discrimination based on race.
18 Sep 2012

Illinois launches new 'STEM' learning exchanges to prepare students for 21st Century workforce

By Rick Martin

$10.3 million public-private partnership to boost careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) 

 

CHICAGO - September 14, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today unveiled a unique $10.3 million public-private partnership that will better prepare thousands of Illinois students for careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) fields. Joined by Illinois business, high-tech and education leaders at the innovative "1871" digital start-up center in Chicago's Merchandise Mart, Governor Quinn announced that eight organizations will be awarded contracts to develop "STEM Learning Exchanges" that link educational opportunities with business resources to prepare students to compete in the global economy. The partnership is part the governor's commitment to improve education in Illinois.

"Our mission is to prepare our students for the 21st Century workforce," Governor Quinn said. "These new Learning Exchanges will provide students with real-world experience and advanced educational opportunities to ensure they are ready to compete for the jobs of tomorrow."

The funding package is comprised of $2.3 million in federal Race to the Top (RTTT) funds, which leveraged another $8 million in business resources. The eight STEM Learning Exchanges, coordinated through multiple state agencies in partnership with the Illinois Business Roundtable, will be established through contracts with the Illinois State Board of Education. Applicants were required to commit cash or in-kind donations, bringing more than $10.3 million of business resources and cash to this unique public-private partnership.

The eight learning exchange organizations were selected by an expert review committee that considered each applicant's plan and experience in coordinating statewide public-private partnerships, and the matching or in-kind matching contribution. These statewide Learning Exchanges will work together with regional, educational and business networks to aggregate curricular resources, assessment tools, professional development systems, work-based learning opportunities and problem-based learning challenges. They will support performance evaluation across the P-20 education and workforce system, and result in better prepared students for a 21st century workforce. For the complete list, see attached document.

"This exemplifies a great public-private partnership as education and business forces work together to pave the way for a brighter future in Illinois,'' said State Superintendent of Education Christopher A. Koch. "Giving students access to professionals and showing them how knowledge can be applied on the job is a proven strategy for keeping students engaged in high school and mindful of their future."

A 2011 report from the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce shows that Illinois will have an estimated 319,000 STEM-related job openings by 2018. About 93 percent of those jobs will require post-secondary education or training.

"The true wealth of our nation is produced by manufacturing things that people throughout the world wish to purchase because of our advanced technology and reputation for quality. That technology and quality can only be sustained with a pipeline of young people who are stimulated by such innovative approaches as these learning exchanges," said Fred Young, CEO of Forest City Gears which made 75 gears for NASA's Curiosity Rover mission to Mars.

"STEM occupations are critical to bolstering our state's competitive edge and ability to be successful in the global economy," said Jeff Mays, President of the Illinois Business Roundtable. "We not only need more professional scientists and mathematicians, but also qualified technicians and skilled workers in manufacturing and other technology-driven industries. By participating in the STEM Learning Exchanges, business is stepping up to better coordinate programs and investments that connect students to careers."

The RTTT funds supporting the STEM Learning Exchanges are drawn from the nearly $43 million awarded to Illinois last year to implement education reform initiatives across the state.

Last year, Gov. Quinn launched Illinois Pathways, an education initiative to support college and career readiness. Coordinated through a partnership between the State's education and economic development agencies, Illinois Pathways supports local programs that empower youth and adults to explore academic and career interests in STEM fields while supporting Learning Exchanges that coordinate investments, resources and planning for those programs. To learn more about Illinois Pathways, please visit: www.illinoisworknet.com/ilpathways.

###
18 Sep 2012

Les Misérables to anchor TCR 80th Season

By Theatre Cedar Rapids

Surprise Announcements and Special Guests Headline TCR Event

September 14, 2012 - Cedar Rapids, Iowa - The biggest surprise of the night at The Curtain Raiser-Destination TCR held Thursday, September 13 was the announcement that Theatre Cedar Rapids was one of only a select few of community theatres in the country invited to produce the award-winning musical Les Misérables. The show will be on the TCR stage in July of 2014.

 

"Theatre Cedar Rapids is honored by the invitation to produce Les Misérables. To be one of the first in the country, and by special invitation no less, is as much a stamp of approval for the quality theatre we produce as any other gesture in recent memory," said TCR Executive Director Casey Prince. "A show of this magnitude will have ripple effects through our entire organization, patron base and, in particular, our volunteers. The opportunities to participate in every facet of this monumental undertaking will be many."

 

A second surprise announcement made at the event was done by Tim Hankewich, Music Director at Orchestra Iowa. Hankewich revealed that Orchestra Iowa, in partnership with TCR, will co-produce a concert version of The Music Man at the Paramount Theatre next July.

 

A third announcement at the event was made by Executive Director of the NewBo City Market, Ann Poe. She announced that NewBo and TCR are co-presenting a 5K Fun Run/Walk called The Costume Run as part of NewBo's Grand Opening on Saturday, October 27.

 

 

These announcements were made during a preview of the current season's shows at the annual TCR Fall Kickoff Fundraising event in front of a crowd of 250. The preview took the audience on a tour through the season using one-night-only performances by a number of special guests including:

 

· Catherine Blades, Cedar Rapids native and now NYC-based actress who missed much of her senior year at C.R. Washington H.S. when cast in the Broadway production of "Bye Bye Birdie."

 

· Peter Evans, Cedar Rapids native and now Chicago-based actor most recently cast in "The Book of Mormon."

 

· Janelle Lauer, Cedar Rapids-based musician, performer, director and vocal coach who is music directing four shows on TCR's season.

 

All of these special guest performers grew up in the spotlight at TCR and are veterans of numerous TCR shows. Other special appearances were made by TCR veterans Gene Whiteman, Doug Jackson, & Pat Deignan. Local celebrities involved in the program were KCRG's Nicole Agee, Scott Schulte and Rick Swann from Z102.9, a Flash Mob performance by returning cast members from Disney's Camp Rock produced by TCR in August and songs performed by the cast members of Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson which opens September 28 and runs through October 20.

 

The Curtain Raiser was sponsored by Bankers Trust with proceeds used to support the operations and programming at Theatre Cedar Rapids.

 

 

For more information, contact:Theatre Cedar Rapids
Julie Coppock
18 Sep 2012

NOTHING OVER $0.25 AT THE FRIENDS OF DPL BOOK SALE!

By Steve Hart

The FRIENDS of the Davenport Public Library's annual fall book sale will be Friday, September 21 and Saturday, September 22, at the Main Street Library (321 Main Street) between the hours of 10 AM - 3 PM.  Thousands of great deals are waiting for your arrival!

The FRIENDS also have great deals on books, magazines, puzzles, games, and more at the FRIENDS of the Davenport Public Library bookstores at the Fairmount Branch Library (3000 N. Fairmount Street) and the Eastern Avenue Branch Library (6000 Eastern Avenue), Monday - Saturday every week!  The Fairmount Bookstore is open M, W, F, Sa from 10 AM - 2 PM, and the Eastern Avenue Bookstore is open the same hours as the Eastern Avenue Branch Library.

For more information, visit www.davenportlibrary.com or call 563-326-7832.
18 Sep 2012

Living-learning communities immerse students in subjects

By Hawkeye Caucus

It's one thing to study a subject in college; it's another to live it 24/7.

That's the opportunity provided to University of Iowa first- and second-year undergraduate students through more than 15 living-learning communities.  There are communities for students majoring in education, health sciences, journalism, engineering, business, arts and pre-med, among others.

Students in these communities often take many of the same classes, live together in resident halls, study together and have access to a range of tailored programs and faculty support to help make sure they succeed.

Being part of a living-learning community is also fun.  Students form a bond and, after the books are put away for the day, often take part in social activities, whether it's attending a film, holding game nights or going out for ice cream.

DID YOU KNOW?

There are living-learning communities for just about everyone at the UI, including BizHawks; Explore. Dream. Discover. Experience; Global Village; Health Sciences Community; Spectrum House; and Women in Science & Engineering.

FYI

Learn more about the UI's living-learning communities at http://fye.uiowa.edu/admitted-now-what/living-learning-communities
18 Sep 2012

Figge to host "Is My Black Beautiful?" Symposium

By Rick Martin

Panel to Discuss Concepts that Define Black Beauty

Davenport, IOWA (September 2012) On Saturday, September 22 the 3-part symposium, "Is My Black Beautiful?" will be held at the Figge Art Museum. Inspired by the exhibition Posing Beauty in African American Culture, this symposium will begin at 1pm with a panel discussion moderated by community leader Bobbie Lastrapes and will include local African American women spanning sixty years in age. The panel participants will be Ashley Anderson, Jackie Foy-Baker, Earnice Hines, Johnnie Marie Woods, Mary Teague and LaDrina Wilson.

The panel will discuss the ever-changing concepts that define black beauty in the context of fashion and time and will reflect on what it means and has meant to be beautiful in the traditional sense and also on a personal level. Audience members will be encouraged to contribute their thoughts and add to the conversation.

Following the panel discussion, participants will visit the exhibition Posing Beauty for an informal tour, led by Figge associate curator Rima Girnius, Ph.D. Following the tour there will be a reception with refreshments and performances by the Imani! Dancers & Studio for Cultural Arts, Inc. The Imani! Dancers is a non-profit Christian arts organization specializing in Afro-modern, lyrical, and creative dance.

Symposium Schedule

1-2 pm          Panel Discussion, Moderator: Bobbie Lastrapes

2-3 pm          Gallery Talk Led by Rima Girnius, PhD, Figge Art Museum associate curator

3-4:30 pm     Reception and informal performances by the Imani! Dancers & Studio for Cultural Arts, Inc

The symposium is free with paid admission or museum membership; museum admission will be reduced to $4 until 2pm on Saturday, September 22. No registration is required. To learn more call Melissa Hueting, director of education, at 563.326.7804x7895 or email mhueting@figgeartmuseum.org.

About Posing Beauty in African American Culture 

Posing Beauty in African American Culture explores the contested ways in which African and African American beauty have been represented in historical and contemporary contexts through diverse media including photography, film, video, fashion, advertising and other forms of popular culture such as music and the Internet. Throughout the Western history of art and image-making, the relationship between beauty and art has become increasingly complex within contemporary art and popular culture.

The images in this exhibition challenge idealized forms of beauty in art by examining their portrayal and exploring a variety of attitudes about race, class, gender, popular culture and politics as seen through the aesthetics of representation.

About the Figge Art Museum

The Figge Art Museum is located on the riverfront in downtown Davenport at 225 West Second Street. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday and Sundays 12-5 p.m.  Thursdays the museum is open until 9pm. Admission to the museum and tour is $7. Admission is free to Figge members and institutional members. To contact the museum, please call 563.326.7804, or visit our website, www.figgeartmuseum.org.

-end-

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